Two alumni recognized as “Rising Stars” by Lexpert

Photos courtesy of Torys LLP and Borden Ladner Gervais LLP

Michael Amm, Law ‘96, a partner at Torys LLP; and Brian Dingle, Artsci ‘95, MIR ‘96, Law ‘00, a partner at Borden Ladner Gervais LLP

Lexpert recently recognized Michael Amm, Law ‘96, and Brian Dingle, Artsci ‘95, MIR ‘96, Law ‘00, as top young Canadian legal talents. They were selected as two of Lexpert’s “Rising Stars - Leading Lawyers Under 40” for 2009.

Nominated by their peers, the “Rising Stars” are voted on each year by an advisory board of Lexpert, one of Canada’s leading sources of news and information about the business of law. Winners are rated on criteria including deals, cases, community or professional involvement, contribution to firm profitability, adaptability to change and team player qualities.

Amm is a partner at Torys LLP and is a member of the firm’s M&A, Mining and Metals and India Practice Groups. He has worked on a variety of notable deals, including China Investment Corporation’s investment in Teck Resources and International Petroleum Investment Company’s acquisition of NOVA Chemicals. “He is a master at co-ordinating deal teams,” says Amm’s nominator for the Lexpert designation.

One of Amm's most noteable transactions was Hindalco Industries of India's $6-billion (US) acquisition of Novelis, a leading multinational aluminum products company, in 2007. “The transaction involved a number of trips to India and co-ordinating a team of lawyers in 10 countries on four continents,” Amm says. “The cultural experiences and opportunity to work closely with our Indian client and a team of lawyers around the world was absolutely fascinating and very rewarding.”

Dingle is a partner in the Business Immigration Group at Borden Ladner Gervais LLP. He represents major American film and television studios and high-profile entertainers, and is often involved with getting the authorization to bring top performers to Canada. He has also written extensively on business immigration and is actively involved on his firm’s pro bono committee. “He is extremely knowledgeable in all aspects of the law and I have found him to an immensely skilled practitioner,” one of Dingle’s clients told Lexpert.

Many of Dingle's clients treat him as part of their production team, with Dingle often going to meet them on the film set, attend a wrap party or a concert. One of the fondest memories he notes was being among a small group of industry people at a Foo Fighters concert at Lee’s Palace for the pre-release of the band’s new album.

“Now that I am a dad, I cannot wait for the release of ‘Gnomeo & Juliet,’” Dingle says about the upcoming 2011 3-D animated feature. “I can tell my daughter that I advised the production.”

Both Amm and Dingle noted that Queen’s Law played an important role at the beginning of their respective careers.

“Queen’s Law provided an excellent legal education which served as an essential foundation for subsequent development of legal practice skills,” Amm says.

“While many professors were tremendously supportive of my efforts when I was at Queen’s, Bernie Adell had the greatest influence on my legal career,” recalls Dingle. “His belief in my abilities gave me tremendous confidence.”